The North Panola School District was one of three out of 143 school districts in the state to rise a grade level for the 2014-2015 school year based on Mississippi Department of Education accountability results released last week.
The “C” rating classifies North Panola a “Successful” school district, rising from a level “D” in the 2013-2014 school year. The grade was based on outcomes from the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Career (PARCC) test. The improvement comes during the second year of Superintendent Cedric Richardson’s administration.
North Panola High School maintained its “B” or “high performing” grade for the second consecutive year and increased its graduation rate to 85.8 percent for 2014-2015 over the 2013-2014 rate of 61.2 percent. A district spokesperson cited former high school principal and current assistant Superintendent Jamone Edwards for his leadership reflected in the school’s improved performance.
“The success of NPSD is owed to ‘quality teaching’ through leadership, innovation and collaboration,” Richardson said. “Our teachers worked tirelessly to improve student achievement and our students came prepared to learn each day.”
The superintendant also praised the leadership of Como Elementary School Principal Coretta Miller for her leadership in bringing the school from “D” to “C” level.
“Dr. Wilner Bolden was tasked to guide transformation at the district’s three elementary schools,” the NP spokesman said. “Under his direction, two of the three schools have grown in letter grades and all schools achieved above average reading scores on the third grade reading assessment”
“We are grateful to our parents and community partners for their support as we work to provide our students with a first class education,” Richardson said. He also praised the North Panola School District Board of Trustees for their leadership and support during the last two years.
“The district’s success is a team effort,” he said.
(See PARCC results from all Panola schools below.)